Biotin
The B vitamin family includes the water-soluble vitamin biotin. These vitamins are important for vital metabolic processes, supporting healthy nervous system function and supporting adrenal function.The production of fatty acids, the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and cell growth all depend on biotin. Additionally, it contributes to DNA replication.Although biotin is typically regarded as safe, there have been a few isolated reports of unfavorable side effects like skin rashes and digestive problems. It's crucial to consult your healthcare provider before taking a biotin supplement.
What Are the Benefits of Biotin?
Frequently, biotin is marketed as a supplement for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Some individuals use it in the anticipation that it will enhance the condition and appearance of their skin, hair, and nails.
Brittle nails and nail infections are occasionally treated with biotin. It has also been investigated as a potential treatment for other conditions like diabetes, macular degeneration, and cognitive decline.
Research on the advantages of biotin so far has been inconsistent. According to some studies, biotin supplements can help people with brittle nails grow stronger, healthier nails. No benefit was discovered in other studies.
There is some proof that biotin may aid in the treatment of diabetes. In a small study, biotin supplements helped type 2 diabetics better control their blood sugar levels. Before biotin can be suggested as a treatment for diabetes, larger and better designed studies are necessary.
A common sign of vitamin B12 deficiency is cognitive impairment. There isn't much evidence to back up the use of biotin as a treatment for cognitive impairment, but it is occasionally used in this capacity.
Loss of vision is a symptom of macular degeneration. Although there is some evidence that biotin may help treat macular degeneration, more studies are required to make this claim official.
When consumed in the recommended dosages, biotin supplements are generally regarded as safe. Skin rashes and digestive upset are possible side effects, although they are uncommon. Consult your doctor before beginning a biotin supplement if you're thinking about it.
Dosages of Biotin
For adults, the recommended daily intake (RDA) for biotin is 30 micrograms (mcg). Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant might require more.
Although there is no set maximum dose for biotin, studies have successfully used doses of up to 200 mg. Intestinal side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and cramping may be brought on by higher doses.
Both pill and liquid biotin supplements are offered. The majority of drugstores and health food stores carry them.
If you're thinking about taking a biotin supplement, check with your doctor first to make sure it's appropriate for you.
Pharmacokinetics
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that the body cannot store. In human serum, biotin has a half-life of about 2 hours. Urine is where biotin is eliminated.
After consuming foods or supplements high in biotin, serum biotin concentrations rise, but peak levels don't appear for several hours to days. However, within 4 hours of receiving a biotin intramuscular injection, both free and total biotin concentrations have increased more than 10-fold.
Several tissues, including the liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, spleen, lung, thymus, bone marrow, adrenal gland, small intestine, and skeletal muscle, had radioactivity after intramuscular injection of 14C-labeled biotin in rats. The liver and kidney contained the most radioactivity.
The liver, kidney, and pancreas of rats that had been given oral biotin had the highest levels of radioactivity.
There is a large supply of biotin in food. Eggs, meat, nuts, legumes, and leafy green vegetables are all excellent sources. Biotin deficiency is uncommon and typically only affects people who are severely undernourished or who are taking medications that prevent biotin from being absorbed.
Interactions
Antibiotics like amoxicillin should not be taken with biotin as this may result in a biotin deficiency. Additionally, anticonvulsants like phenobarbital and phenytoin may interact with biotin. A biotin deficiency may result from these interactions.
Without consulting a doctor, pregnant women should avoid taking biotin supplements because their needs may increase during pregnancy.
Research
Numerous uses of biotin have been studied, such as diabetes, healthy skin, and hair loss. Before any conclusions can be drawn, more research is required because the majority of these studies have been small.
The quality of nails in people with brittle nails may be improved by biotin supplements, according to a review of studies published in 2014. No benefit was discovered in other studies.
There is some proof that biotin may aid in the treatment of diabetes. In a small study, biotin supplements helped type 2 diabetics better control their blood sugar levels. Before biotin can be suggested as a treatment for diabetes, larger and better designed studies are necessary.
A common sign of vitamin B12 deficiency is cognitive impairment. Biotin supplements have been investigated as a potential treatment for cognitive impairment because they are involved in the metabolism of vitamin B12. There is no proof, though, that biotin supplements help people with normal vitamin B12 levels function more cognitively.
A treatment for hair loss using biotin has also been investigated. In a small study, it was discovered that women with thinning hair had better-quality hair thanks to biotin supplements. Before biotin can be suggested as a treatment for hair loss, bigger, better-designed studies are necessary.